The house felt different after the relocation.

Quieter. Sharper. Like the walls had started listening, waiting for the next truth to drop.

Vanessa was on her third coffee by 7 a.m., pacing the hallway outside the security room. Adrian hadn’t left the study since 4. The curtains stayed drawn. Every light remained on.

Micah’s absence echoed louder than his presence ever had.

Zaya cried when she couldn’t find him. The air was tense with questions we couldn’t afford to answer.

And ...